DAVE GERARD

8822 Harbor Circle

Terrell, North Carolina 28682

828-478-9813

gerardd@charter.net

www.west-point.org/class/usma/1968

By the time you read this, Don McLane will be well into his first year of retirement.  Upon his departure from Nordson, he was given an incredibly graphic sendoff that chronicled his 30+ years with the company, as well as the leadership secrets that he instilled – which culminated in, “Make sure that when you become a success you have someone to share it with.”  In Don’s case, that someone is Lydia.  Prior to retirement, Don & Lydia bumped into John & Margie Hedley in the Tokyo airport and spent a humor filled hour talking about how much the Hedleys enjoy being in North Carolina on a lake.  The McLanes promise to stop by and join in seeing who can come up with the biggest honor violation about the days of yore.

[PHOTO #1 – “Lydia & Don McLane on their way out the door at Nordson”]

[PHOTO #2 – “Florita & Ralph Tilton at our last reunion”]

Ralph Tildon and Mike Mears seem to experience post partum something-or-other after retiring from their organization.  They still put in a few days a week as private consultants to convey their valuable experiences.  This schedule allows them some travel and private time while they wean themselves from Big Brother.  Ralph & Florita are focusing on grandkids, while Mike has failed miserably at retirement by overloading himself with a couple of boards and consulting for the Dept of Energy.  They both promise a visit – as soon as their work load tapers off and gas prices decline.

[PHOTO #3 – “Mike Mears and John Wing at our last reunion”

John ONeal is handling his semi retirement by tagging along with Fran, a Fulbright Scholar in India, and trying to keep his kids away from young and wild college students.  The ONeals lived in Delhi from January through May.  While not looking after the kids, John found other adventures like taking Ted Hill (66) to the Himalayas for some hiking.  The ONeal blog is at http://jroneal.blogspot.com.  John’s research with Bruce Russett of Yale on the pacific benefits of democracy, trade, and international organizations has gotten wide attention over the last 10 years as they are cited in academic literature more than any other authors on the topic of armed interstate conflict.  Essential Science Indicators (ESI) has posted John’s biography at http://esi-topics.com/armed-conflict/interviews/JohnROneal.html.

[PHOTO #4 – “Semi-retired Professor John ONeal”]

Bill Jefferies has no intention to retire in the near future.  Maybe that’s because his job is not humdrum and he has enough time for family – including grandkids.  Bill’s latest book is a novel entitled Trap Door to the Dark Side (ISBN 1-4259-5120) – A story set in the secret war in Laos and Cambodia in the 60s.  He gives half of the profit from every book ordered directly from his Executive Strategies, Intl (esipres6@earthlink.net) to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation for scholarships awarded to children of Special Forces soldiers killed in the line of duty.  This year, the Jefferies plan to trade in its Indiana home, with its assorted fish, snakes, birds, and other critters, and its Superbowl champs for the winter powder, equestrian trails, and upgraded professional basketball team at Deer Valley, Utah. 

[PHOTO #5 – “Bill, Paul, Cheryl, and Austin Jefferies at Deer Valley last year”]

No word yet as to how Bill Dickerson’s life after retirement from the Air Force is going, but, from all reports, his send-off was pretty spectacular.  As part of the festivities, Bill asked his classmates to join him on the stage to sing the Alma Mater.

[PHOTO #6 – “Mike Wells, Dave Ohle, Bill Dickerson, Jerry Hansen, John Keane, and Chuck Giasson at Bill’s AF retirement”]

Stott Carleton is on the Maine coast proving daily that there is lots of life after the military and medical practice.  Last year, he caught over 10,000 lbs of lobster and enlisted most of the members of his expanding family to help him.  After an earlier set of Notes, Bobbie gave up baiting on the boat and turned “sterning” duties over to daughter-in-law, Courtney.  We are happy to know that Chad continues to do well and avoid serious injury as a Deputy Sheriff (has been shot at more than once with only a grazed hip to show for it), and Todd balances his two months at sea as a permanent 2^nd mate with two months at home to look after his bride and daughters.

In case you didn’t know, Pat Carraway had some serious medical problems last year; however, she has regained enough stamina to continue traveling from Savannah to Tampa and the North Carolina mountains to visit kids and grandkids.  Dave is still diligently annoying people regarding environmental practices in motor pools at Ft Stewart.  His reputation is so entrenched that folks run when they see him.  But, he still enjoys working with the troops and worries about them during their repeated and extended redeployments.

[PHOTO #7 – “Nellie & Anne Laughton at the Army-Navy Lacrosse Game”]

The Founders Day season always brings neat news.  Nellie Laughton reported that Bob Beahm was the “oldest” grad at the inaugural Northern Chesapeake West Point Society Founders Day celebration at the former Officers’ Club at Aberdeen Proving Ground.   Bob is also the Chapter VP while Nellie is on the BOD.  They labeled the celebration as an “Ice Breaker” since it was the first function for the WPS chapter members to get to know each other.  They joined with the WPS at Annapolis for the post game celebration of Army’s win over Navy in lacrosse.  Ross Irvin reported that the North Texas WPS also chucked the formal FD venue and went “tropical casual” at the Dallas Aquarium.  Phil Samuel’s bride, Linda, did not attend because she was recovering from bruises sustained in an auto accident.  There is no news or picture from the WPS of the Carolinas because John Hedley was out of town on assignment and Dan Gooding felt there weren’t enough berries and nuts on the menu to attend.

[PHOTO #8 – “Phil Samuel with Ross & Margaret Irvin at the North Texas WPS FD celebration”]

[PHOTO # 9 – “Susan & Fred Reynolds with Irene & Dave Drummond at the Ft Leavenworth FD Celebration”]

John Calabro advised us that we’ve blown through the initial purchase of silver Class Coins – the medallions created to recognize contributors who have ponied up at least double the single classmate fair share of $5,000 for our Class Gift.  Unfortunately, we have not gone through the normal fair share bronze coins.  Just over half of the class has contributed something, and we’re still about a half million shy of what’s needed.  While it would be great to get just a third of our classmates who have given nothing to ante up a fair share contribution, reality is taking hold.  To you who subscribe and read these notes, we REALLY need your help.  Please contact your company, class, club, and team mates and urge them to dig a little deeper to make our gift a reality and truly a gift from the entire class.  I have heard from many that they plan to give at least triple your fair share so their names (along with spouses) will be listed on a plaque in the Library rotunda, because they want their offspring and future generations to know that they went to West Point and were a member of a class that could pull together to provide substance to its alma mater.  Now is a great time to contribute to Dutch Hostler’s Class Marchback campaign – do it in memory of a classmate who is now with us only in spirit and who did not get to enjoy family, job, retirement, golf, luncheons, grandchildren, and continued class companionship.  Yeah, I know that living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun.  By subscribing to Assembly, keeping in touch, helping to get the word out, and supporting the class in this great effort, you must be proud of, and feel closer to classmates and West Point.  We need for that pride to shine even brighter because we still need to reach our goal and YOU’RE ALL WE’VE GOT.